Maui

Frolicking off the coast of Maui

March = Malaki

This whale is breaching off the coast of which Hawaiian isle?

A breach is a leap out of the water in which 90% of the whale's body clears the water before coming back down on its back or side.

It is not known for certain why whales breach, but they often do it in groups, suggesting an assertion of dominance or courting. Or it could be a way of dislodging parasites from the skin. Others suggest it is a form of play.

Whatever the reason, what better place to do it than off the coast of this island. It is the second-largest of the Hawaiian islands and the 17th largest island in the United States.

My buddy Jim and I visited here in 2012. We saw the sun rise from the top of Mt. Haleakala -- the volcano that dominates the center of the island -- and then biked our way back down. We also drove the switchback-laden road to Hana, a 50-mile drive that takes several hours to complete. Our snorkeling excursion was canceled due to inclement weather; otherwise, I'm sure we would have seen a whale or two, perhaps even this same guy pictured above.

A Peninsula, Actually

Magic Island, located on Oahu near Honolulu

February = Pepeluali

Where is this magical island located, and what is its name?

Created in 1964, this manmade island was originally a resort. Later it was converted to a park.

Its actual name is Aina Moana but is generally referred to by another name.

Ala Moana Beach Park and Ala Wai Yacht Harbor are adjacent to the island. Every Fourth of July, the Ala Moana Center puts on a fireworks show over the island.

Picturesque as a Postcard

The Waipi'o Valley

January = Ianuali

What is the name of this scenic valley?

This valley is located on the northern coast of the Big Island.

Its name means "curved water."

It was featured in the final scene of the 1995 film "Waterworld."

The steepest road in the U.S. (possibly the world) leads down into the valley from a lookout on the southern wall of the valley.

Not Who, but Where

Better late than never.

I just acquired this beatific calendar two days ago, so now I am finally ready to continue my calendar blog. But with this caveat. Instead of, as in years past, asking for who is being pictured each month, I will now be asking where the location is that is pictured (or the name of the location).

The common theme: All locations are to be found somewhere (as the title of the calendar implies) in the beautiful Hawaiian islands.

An interesting feature of this calendar is its inclusion of the Hawaiian name for each day of the week: Sunday = Lapule; Monday = Po'akahi; Tuesday = Po'alua; Wednesday = Po'akolu; Thursday = Po'aha; Friday = Po'alima; Saturday = Po'aono.